How to Construct Compost Bins

Garbage Can Bin

• 1

  Wash the inside of a plastic or metal garbage can with soap and water, and leave it to dry. Make sure the bin has a tight-fitting lid. Locate a well-draining site in your yard exposed to shade over which you will stand the barrel.

• 2

  Drill three to four evenly spaced rows of 1/2- to 1-inch drainage holes all around the sides of the can. Space the holes 4 to 6 inches apart. Also drill drainage holes through the lid and base.

• 3

  Spread 2 to 3 inches of wood chips or straw over the base of the barrel to assist in drainage, and to absorb excess moisture. Add 2- to 3-inch-thick alternating layers of brown organic waste, such as straw, dried leaves, hardwood plants, cardboard and coffee filters; and green organic waste, such as softwood plants, grass clippings, weeds, tea bags, vegetable and fruit scraps into the barrel until 5 inches from the top. Chop particles into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces before adding. Replace the lid back firmly in place.

• 4

  Water the contents until evenly moist. Ideally, a handful of waste from the bin when squeezed should feel damp and not drain more than a few drops of water. Add sawdust to the bin if overly wet, or add water if it's too dry. The waste should remain evenly moist at all times.

• 5

  Turn the waste with a pitchfork or shovel one to two times a week to assist in the decomposition process. Make sure you replace the lid firmly back after turning to maintain the container temperature between 90 and 140 degrees F.

Wire-Mesh Bin

• 6

  Fold each end of the 36-inch deep, 10-foot-long wire by 4 inches. Wear gloves and fold the wire using pliers to prevent injury.

• 7

  Outline a 3-foot-wide circle in a well-draining corner of your yard exposed to shade using powdered chalk. Arrange the wire to form a circle over the outline, with its lower long edge resting directly above the chalk mark on the ground. Secure the two overlapping corners of the wire together with lengths of heavy wire to form an enclosed circle with an open top.

• 8

  Hold a 4-foot wooden post against the inside of the wire circle and drive it 10 inches into the ground. Repeat the process of pounding three identical posts into the ground along the inner surface. Space the posts evenly apart.

• 9

  Add alternating layers of kitchen and yard scrap into the wire mesh bin until 5 inches from the top. Keep it evenly moist at all times, and turn two times a week with a pitchfork or shovel.